a.b.e.

® Construction Chemicals

dura.®cord &
dura.®sheet 40/100

CLOSED CELL POLYETHYLENE JOINT FORMERS & BACK UP MATERIAL

DESCRIPTION INSTALLATION
dura.®cord and dura.®sheet are manufactured from low dura.®cord should be compressed into the joint to
density, closed cell expanded polyethylene. They are highly approximately 70% of its original size. Where hydrostatic
flexible and compressible, with excellent recovery properties pressures are present, compression should be to
and tensile strength. approximately 40% of its original size.
dura.®cord: back up material is supplied in For most effective results, dura.®cord must be inserted into
various diameters. the joint to a depth that will accommodate the depth of
sealant specified i.e. joints from 6 mm to 12 mm wide, width
dura.®sheet: permanent, preformed bond breaker and
and depth must be equal. From 12 mm wide to 24 mm wide
joint former.
the depth should be 12 mm, and for joints over 24 mm wide
USES the depth should be half width.
dura.®cord and dura.®sheet are semi-rigid joint fillers used In order to prevent movement of the dura.®sheet when
for forming expansion joints or as a backing material for installing in expansion joints between suspended slabs use
joints in: partly projecting copper nails or daubs of adhesive.
• Concrete When forming expansion joints with dura.®sheet in in-situ
• Brickwork concrete joint sealing slots can be formed by first cutting
through the dura.®sheet to the required depth and pinning
• Blockwork
the strip back on to the remaining dura.®sheet with 50 mm
• Retaining walls panel pins installing the filler flush with the concrete surface.
• Deck slabs Prior to sealing remove the top strip to provide a clean joint
• Reservoirs ready for preparation of the joint sealant installation.
• Paving Bond breakers are not required as elastomeric sealants
• Columns will not bond to the dura.®cord and closed cell side of
dura.®sheet. A pvc tape should be applied to top of
dura.®sheet 100 is suitable for use in water retaining dura.®sheet to avoid adhesion of sealant to open cell
structures and conforms to the requirements of a.b.e.® structure.
Construction Chemicals’ specifications for the sealing of
water retaining structures. DESIGN CRITERIA
Typical movement joint in block-work using dura.®sheet:
ADVANTAGES
4
• Rot proof
• Fine closed cell structure
• Non-absorbent
• Resilient
• Low load transfer
• Bitumen free
• Non-tainting
4
• Ozone friendly and recyclable
• Good thermal properties

1. concrete
2. dura.®sheet
3. dura.®kol GHM
4. pvc tape on dura.®sheet edge if no dura.®cord is used
 a.b.e.® Construction Chemicals

TECHNICAL DATA HANDLING & STORAGE

Closed cell expanded This product has a shelf life of 12 months if kept in a dry
Composition
polyethylene cool place in the original packaging. In more extreme
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (TYPICAL) conditions this period might be shortened.

dura. sheet
® 40 100 HEALTH & SAFETY
Nominal Density (kg/m3) 40 90-110 In the event of a fire care should be taken not to inhale the
Tensile strength (KPa) fumes of burning dura.®cord or dura.®sheet.
327 782
@ 70%
IMPORTANT NOTE
Elongation @ break (%) 116 98
Tear strength (N/mm) 4.2 5.4 This data sheet is issued as a guide to the use of the
95% recovery from 50% product(s) concerned. Whilst a.b.e.® Construction
Compression set compression for 22 hrs @ 20 ºC Chemicals endeavours to ensure that any advice,
after 4 days recommendation, specification or information is accurate
Service temperature -40 ºC to +90 ºC and correct, the company cannot - because a.b.e.® has no
Resistant to acids and alkalis. direct or continuous control over where and how a.b.e.®
Chemical resistance Good resistance to oils, petrol, products are applied - accept any liability either directly
diesel fuel and solvents or indirectly arising from the use of a.b.e.® products,
Non-toxic (inert) and has no whether or not in accordance with any advice, specification,
Toxicity
rodent attraction recommendation or information given by the company.
Flexibility Good to -40 ºC
FURTHER INFORMATION
Thermal conductivity
0.043 Where other products are to be used in conjunction with
(W/mK) @ 11oC
this material, the relevant technical data sheets should be
Water vapour
transmission rate 0.65 consulted to determine total requirements.
(g/m2 in 24 hrs) a.b.e.® Construction Chemicals has a wealth of
technical and practical experience built up over years
MODEL SPECIFICATION in the company’s pursuit of excellence in building and
dura.®cord construction technology.

Closed-cell polyethylene backing cord for filling and

dimensioning joints prior to sealing with an appropriate
flexible sealant.
The backing cord will be dura.®cord, a closed-cell
polyethylene backing cord applied in accordance with the
recommendations of a.b.e.® Construction Chemicals

dura.®sheet 40
Non-absorbent, closed-cell polyethylene joint filler. Used as
an expansion joint former for paving, pooldecks, between
columns and brickwork, walls and floors in in-situ cast
concrete not subject to hydrostatic pressures.

dura.®sheet 100
Non-absorbent, closed-cell polyethylene joint filler. Used as
an expansion joint former for reservoirs, water retention
works and sewage works.

PACKAGING
dura.®cord is supplied in 100 metre continuous rolls in
various diameters from 6 mm to 50 mm.
dura.®sheet is supplied in square or rectangular sections
of almost any dimension up to 30 mm thick and in 2 metre
lengths. Where continuous lengths over 2 metres are
required, the supplied lengths are easily joined using a
good neoprene contact adhesive.

a.b.e.® is an ISO 9001:2008 registered company

PO Box 5100, Boksburg North, 1461, South Africa
Website: www.abe.co.za | Tel: +27(0) 11 306 9000
Durban | Johannesburg | Cape Town | Port Elizabeth | East London | Bloemfontein | George
DATE UPDATED: 27/01/14